This 302.1-mile drive from West University Place, TX to Garland, TX takes approximately 5 hours and 56 minutes, making it a feasible single-day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 90% of it on major roads like US 59 and I-69. You can expect a fuel cost of around $46 for this journey. Given the relatively short duration, you'll likely want to get an early start to maximize your time at your destination. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, so you won't experience significant geographic shifts.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151 miles from West University Place, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
57.5 mi
1h 5m
I-69
42 mi
44m
Eastex Freeway
39.8 mi
46m
US 271
29.8 mi
34m
US Route 259
19.2 mi
21m
I 30
17.1 mi
17m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
Kilgore Drive
13.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West University Place, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on this road
54 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Edloe Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Edloe Street
3
Turn right onto Sunset Boulevard
0.3 mi·54 sec·Sunset Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Buffalo Speedway
0.4 mi·1 min·Buffalo Speedway
5
Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi·46 sec·Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
7
Merge onto I 69; US 59
1.7 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 69; US 59
40 mi·46 min·Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 69; US 59
11
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi·44 min·I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi·40 min·US 59; FM 942
13
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi·7 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi·17 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
15
Turn left
0.7 mi·1 min
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
17
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi·6 min·Southwest Stallings Drive
18
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi·58 sec·North US Highway 59
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
21
Merge onto US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
22
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
23
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi·3 min·South Railroad Avenue
24
Continue on US 259
16 mi·18 min·US Route 259
25
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 79
26
Continue on US 259
13 mi·15 min·Kilgore Drive
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi·3 min·US 259 Business
28
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Houston Street
29
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft·7 sec·Houston Street
30
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft·1 sec·State Highway 135 North
31
Continue on TX 135
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 135 North
32
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi·1 min·South Tyler Street
33
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Main Street
34
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi·2 min·West Upshur Avenue
35
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi·5 min·FM 2865
36
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi·7 min·FM 2685
37
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi·4 min·TX 155
38
Continue on US 271
30 mi·34 min·US 271
39
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Burton Road
40
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
41
Merge onto I 30
17 mi·17 min·I 30
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
43
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
44
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
45
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 56-minute drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid heavy traffic and arrive with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $46, planning your fuel fill-ups is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 57.5-mile stretch on US 59, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. Given the manageable distance, you have the flexibility to take short breaks as needed without significantly impacting your arrival time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151 miles from West University Place, TX, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 66 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West University Place, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West University Place, TX
This is one driving day of about 302.1 miles and 5h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from West University Place, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 59 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 205.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
124.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 59
Take the exit onto US 59 toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
5
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 59
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59 toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
5
153.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
205.6 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Enter roundabout onto TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.65 one way
$91.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$49.97
$99.93
premium
$4.54
$53.94
$107.88
diesel
$5.61
$66.70
$133.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
Efficient EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
EV Truck/SUV
120.8
1
$42.29
$19.33
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
West University Place, TX
Morning
in West University Place on Tuesday
Local time
10:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
10:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:34AM CDT until April 18 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 10:29AM CDT until April 19 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 56m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey on major interstates and freeways, including US 59 and I-69. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 57.5 miles on US 59, offering a good period for steady driving. While largely a straightforward highway experience, be prepared for potential variations in traffic as you approach urban areas. The Eastex Freeway is a key component of this predominantly freeway-based route.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and I-69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 302.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.2 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles (US 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
450 ft50 ft
Total Climb
534 ft
Total Descent
198 ft
Highest Point
450 ft
~172.6 mi in
Elevation Range
400 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West University Place, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches and Daingerfield.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 302.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Garland, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.2 miles (US 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.9 miles (US 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Garland, TX before the return drive.
